Changes in gait pattern and hip muscle strength after open reduction and internal fixation of acetabular fracture

Markerless three-dimensional gait analysis in healthy older adults: test-retest reliability and measurement error

In older adults, gait analysis may detect changes that signal early disease states, yet challenges in biomechanical screening limit widespread use in clinical or community settings. Recently, a markerless method from multi-camera video data has become accessible, making screenings less challenging. This study evaluated the test-retest reliability and measurement error of markerless gait kinematics and kinetics in healthy older adults. Twenty-nine healthy older adults performed gait analysis on two occasions, at preferred walking speed, using their everyday clothes. Lower limb angles and moments were averaged from 8 gait cycles. Integrated pointwise indices [Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICCA,K) and Standard Error of Measurement (SEM)] were calculated for curve data, as well as ICCA,K, and SEM [95 % confidence intervals] for selected peaks. Generally, kinematic ICCs were good (>0.75) and reasonably stable throughout the gait cycle, except for the hip kinematics during the swing phase in the sagittal plane and pelvis tilt and rotation. The integrated and peaks SEM were <2.4°. The reliability of kinetics was similar (ICC>0.75), except for the transverse hip moment and abduction peak, fluctuating more during the swing than through the stance phase. SEM were < 0.07Nm/Kg. In conclusion, these results showed good overall test-retest reliability for markerless gait kinematics and kinetics for the hip, knee, and ankle joints, moderate for the pelvis angles, and error levels of ≤5°, and SEM%≤5% for the sagittal plane. This supports this method's use in assessing gait in healthy older adults, including kinetics, for which reliability data from markerless systems is difficult to find reported.

Can Older Adult Patients with Hip Fractures Have Their Discharge Destination Predicted by Physical Performance Measures?

Background and Objectives: The majority of patients who undergo hip fracture surgery do not recover their former level of physical function; hence, it is essential to establish a specific rehabilitation strategy for maximal functional recovery of patients after a hip fracture. Knowing which indicators of physical function in hip fracture patients have a significant impact on the decision regarding the place or timing of discharge would make it possible to plan and prepare for discharge as soon as possible. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical function and discharge destination for older adult patients with hip fracture. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 150 hip fracture patients (mean age 78.9 ± 10.6 years) between January 2019 and June 2021 were enrolled. Patients were categorized into two groups according to their discharge destination, either home or facility. Demographic and disease-related characteristic data were collected from the medical records. All the patients completed performance-based physical function tests including the 10 Meter Walk Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Koval's grade, and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) at the start of rehabilitation and at discharge. A backward stepwise binary logistic regression analysis was then performed to determine the independent factors of the discharge destination. Results: The home discharge group had a significantly lower Koval's grade, lower TUG, higher BBS both at baseline and discharge, and younger age. Backward stepwise logistic binary regression analysis showed that TUG, BBS, and 10MWT at baseline and discharge were significant variables affecting the discharge destination after hip fracture. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that balance and gait in older adult patients with hip fractures are highly influential factors in the determining the discharge destination.

Hip Function after Surgically Treated Isolated Traumatic Acetabular Fracture: A Prospective Series of Consecutive Cases

Purpose

Isolated acetabular fractures can occur as a result of a high energy impact on the hip joint. Surgery is required for most patients with an isolated acetabular fracture in order to alleviate pain, restore joint stability, and regain hip function. This study was conducted in order to examine the course of hip function in patients after surgical treatment of an isolated traumatic acetabular fracture.

Materials and Methods

This prospective series of consecutive cases included patients who underwent surgery for treatment of an isolated acetabular fracture in a European level one trauma center between 2016 and 2020. Patients with relevant concomitant injuries were excluded. Scoring of hip function was performed by a trauma surgeon using the Modified Merle d'Aubigné and Postel score at six-week, 12-week, six-month, and one-year follow-up. Scores between 3-11 indicate poor, 12-14 fair, 15-17 good, and 18 excellent hip function.

Results

Data on 46 patients were included. The mean score for hip function was 10 (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.09-12.91) at six-week follow-up (23 patients), 13.75 (95% CI 10.74-16.76) at 12-week follow-up (28 patients), 16 (95% CI 13.40-18.60) at six-month follow-up (25 patients), and 15.50 (95% CI 10.55-20.45) at one-year follow-up (17 patients). After one-year follow-up, the scores reflected an excellent outcome in 11 patients, good in five patients, and poor in one patient.

Conclusion

This study reports on the course of hip function in patients who have undergone surgical treatment for isolated acetabular fractures. Restoration of excellent hip function takes six months.

What Are the Key Factors of Functional Outcomes in Patients with Spinopelvic Dissociation Treated with Triangular Osteosynthesis?

For patients with spinopelvic dissociation (SPD), triangular osteosynthesis is the current method for the fixation of the posterior pelvis. This study aimed to assess the recovery process and radiographic parameters associated with the functional outcomes in patients with SPD treated by triangular osteosynthesis. We collected data from 23 patients with SPD. To investigate the key aspect regarding the functional outcomes of these patients, we measured pre- and post-operative parameters, and a statistical analysis adjusted for age, gender, and time windows was used. The radiographic displacement measurement in the pre-operative period showed that the EQ-5D-5L increased by 2.141 per outlet ratio unit. The EQ-5D-5L increased by 1.359 per inlet ratio unit and 1.804 per outlet ratio during the postoperative period. The EQ-VAS increased significantly only with the inlet ratio in the postoperative period (1.270 per inlet ratio). A vertical reduction in SPD during the surgery can achieve more satisfactory outcomes than a horizontal anatomical reduction, in which the horizontal displacement causes inferior functional outcomes.

Analysis of Postoperative Gait, Hip Strength, and Patient-Reported Outcomes After OTA/AO 61-B and 61-C Pelvic Ring Injuries

OBJECTIVES

To examine clinical gait parameters, hip muscle strength, pelvic functional outcomes, and psychological outcomes after surgical fixation of OTA/AO 61-B and 61-C pelvic ring injuries.

DESIGN

Retrospective review identified 10 OTA/AO 61-B patients and 9 OTA/AO 61-C patients for recruitment who were between 1 and 5 years after pelvic fixation. Gait and strength assessments, and patient-reported outcome scores were performed/collected and analyzed.

SETTING

Outpatient clinical motion performance laboratory.

PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS

Patients with OTA/AO 61-B and OTA/AO 61-C fractures who were between 1 and 5 years after pelvic fixation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS

Hip strength, kinetics, and spatial-temporal outcomes; Majeed Pelvic Outcome Score; Short Form 36; Hamilton Anxiety/Depression Rating Scales.

RESULTS

There were no differences in age, body mass index, or time since definitive fixation between OTA/AO 61-B and 61-C groups. The OTA/AO 61-C group had higher median injury severity scores, longer length of stay, and greater postoperative pelvic fracture displacement. There was no difference in bilateral hip strength, bilateral peak hip moments, peak hip power, and walking speed between groups. Patients with OTA/AO 61-C fractures had lower scores on Short Form 36 General Health and Majeed Work, with a trend toward a lower Total Majeed score. There were no differences in self-reported total anxiety and depression symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study did not identify any gait, strength, or psychological differences between OTA/AO 61-B and 61-C injuries at 1-5 years of follow-up. However, increased injury severity in OTA/AO 61-C patients may have residual consequences on perceived general health and ability to work. This pilot study establishes a template for future research into functional recovery of patients with severe pelvic ring trauma.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Muscle activation profile is modulated by unexpected balance loss in walking

BACKGROUND

During an unexpected loss of balance, avoiding a fall requires people to readjust their footing rapidly and effectively. A deeper understanding of muscle activation patterns in response to unexpected balance loss will provide insights into the mechanisms of balance recovery responses. This could have implications for treatment of people with balance deficits.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Explore the differences in balance recovery responses to perturbations in different phases of the gait cycle (single-support vs. double-support) in terms of biomechanical behavior (i.e., stepping and dynamic stability characteristics) and lower-limb muscle activation patterns.

METHODS

Muscle activation patterns of the ankle and knee muscles and muscle fiber type recruitment resulting from unannounced, mediolateral (i.e., right/left) horizontal-surface perturbations during walking was investigated in twenty healthy adults (27.00 ± 2.79 years, ten females). Surface electromyography (sEMG) total spectral power for specific frequency bands (40-60 Hz, 60-150 Hz, 150-250 Hz, 250-400 Hz and 400-1000 Hz), from tibialis anterior (TA) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were analyzed. Three mixed-effects models assessed behavioral and lower-limb muscle activation patterns resulting from perturbations in the gait cycle's single- and double-support phases. Statistical significance was set a priori at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Compared to non-perturbed walking, we found a significant increase in the total spectral power of lower-extremity muscles during the first three seconds after perturbation. During the double-support phase of gait, we found a different muscle fiber type recruitment pattern between VL and TA muscles. However, there were no significant differences between VL and TA muscles for perturbations implemented in single-support phases.

SIGNIFICANCE

Our findings support the notion that muscle operating frequency is modulated in real-time to fit functional goal requirements, such as a rapid change of footing in response to unexpected loss of balance in single and double-support phases of gait.

Wearable Feet Pressure Sensor for Human Gait and Falling Diagnosis

Human falls pose a serious threat to the person's health, especially for the elderly and disease-impacted people. Early detection of involuntary human gait change can indicate a forthcoming fall. Therefore, human body fall warning can help avoid falls and their caused injuries for the skeleton and joints. A simple and easy-to-use fall detection system based on gait analysis can be very helpful, especially if sensors of this system are implemented inside the shoes without causing a sensible discomfort for the user. We created a methodology for the fall prediction using three specially designed Velostat^®-based wearable feet sensors installed in the shoe lining. Measured pressure distribution of the feet allows the analysis of the gait by evaluating the main parameters: stepping rhythm, size of the step, weight distribution between heel and foot, and timing of the gait phases. The proposed method was evaluated by recording normal gait and simulated abnormal gait of subjects. The obtained results show the efficiency of the proposed method: the accuracy of abnormal gait detection reached up to 94%. In this way, it becomes possible to predict the fall in the early stage or avoid gait discoordination and warn the subject or helping companion person.

Early biomechanical outcome in patients with acetabular fractures treated using the pararectus approach: a gait and stair climb analysis study

Purpose

Patients with surgically treated acetabular fractures using extensive dissection of hip muscles demonstrate an incomplete biomechanical recovery and limited joint mobility during movement. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the early biomechanical outcome in a series of patients with acetabular fractures treated using the less invasive anatomical pararectus approach.

Methods

Eight patients (48 ± 14 years, BMI 25.8 ± 3 kg/m²) were investigated 3.8 ± 1.3 months after surgery and compared to matched controls (49 ± 13 years, BMI 26 ± 2.8 kg/m²). Trunk and lower extremity kinematics and kinetics during gait and stair climb were calculated. SF-12 and the Merle d’Aubigné score were used for functional evaluation. Statistical analysis was conducted using Mann–Whitney test and Student’s t test. Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d.

Results

No group differences for lower extremity kinematics during walking and stair climbing were found. During walking, patients showed significant reductions (p < 0.05) of the vertical ground reaction force (8%) and knee and hip extension moments (29 and 27%). Ipsilateral trunk lean was significantly increased by 3.1° during stair descend while reductions of vertical ground reaction force were found for stair ascend (7%) and descend (20%). Hip extension moment was significantly reduced during stair descend by 37%. Patients revealed acceptable SF-12 physical and mental component outcomes and a good rating for the Merle d’Aubigné score (15.9 ± 1.7).

Conclusion

Patients showed some biomechanical restrictions that can be related to residual deficits in weight bearing capacity and strength of the hip muscles. In contrast, an immediate recovery of mobility was achieved by preserving lower extremity and pelvic movement. Therefore, the pararectus approach can serve as a viable strategy in the surgical treatment of acetabular fractures.

Clinical trial

Trial registration number DRKS00011308, 11/14/2016, prospectively registered.

Impact of Bone Fracture on Muscle Strength and Physical Performance-Narrative Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Low muscle strength and poor physical performance are associated with high risk of fracture. Many studies assessed clinical and functional outcomes of fractures. Fewer studies analyzed the impact of fractures on muscle strength and physical performance.

RECENT FINDINGS

Vertebral fractures (especially multiple and severe ones) are associated with back pain, back-related disability, lower grip strength, lower strength of lower limbs, lower gait speed, and poor balance. Patients with hip fracture have slower gait and lower quadriceps strength. Non-vertebral fractures were associated with lower strength of the muscles adjacent to the fracture site (e.g., grip strength in the case of distal radius fracture, knee extensors in the case of patellar fracture) and poor physical function dependent on the muscles adjacent to the fracture site (e.g., limited range of motion of the shoulder in the case of humerus fracture, gait disturbances in the case of the ankle fracture). Individuals with a fracture experience a substantial deterioration of muscle strength and physical performance which exceeds that related to aging and is focused on the period close to the fracture occurrence. After fracture, muscle strength increased and physical performance improved. The rate of normalization depended partly on the therapeutic approach and on the rehabilitation program. A subgroup of patients, mainly the elderly, never returns to the pre-fracture level of physical performance. The permanent decline of physical function after fracture may be related to the limitation of movements due to pain, low physical activity, poor health before the fracture, and reduced efficacy of retraining after immobilization.

Post-operative Physical Performance Factors Associated With Gait Speed in Patients Surgically Treated for Hip Fracture: A Cross-Sectional Study

OBJECTIVE

To determine post-operative physical performance factors associated with gait speed in patients surgically treated for hip fracture.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from 59 patients (16 males and 43 females; mean age, 79.2±9.1 years) who underwent hip fracture surgery were enrolled. Patients completed a 10-meter walk test (10MWT) to assess gait speed. Additional physical performance tests included the Timed Up and Go test (TUG), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) of the knee extensors and flexors on the operated and non-operated sides as well as of the hip abductors (all tested using air-resistance weight machines), and analysis of spatio-temporal gait parameters at about 6 weeks after hip surgery.

RESULTS

Bivariate analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between the post-operative 10MWT and the post-operative TUG, age, swing phase duration, and gait cycle duration along with a significant negative correlation between post-operative BBS score, MVIC of the knee extensors and flexors on the operated and non-operated sides, MVIC of the hip abductors, and cadence and stance phase duration. Linear regression analyses revealed that the post-operative TUG (β=0.85, p<0.01), gait cycle duration (β=0.17, p=0.02), and osteoporosis (β=-0.18, p=0.02) were associated with the post-operative 10MWT.

CONCLUSION

The presence of osteoporosis, post-operative balance, and isometric muscle strength in the operated and non-operated legs were statistically associated with post-operative gait speed early after hip fracture surgery.

Contemporary acetabular fracture surgery

In the time since Letournel popularised the surgical treatment of acetabular fractures, more than 25 years ago, there have been many changes within the field, related to patients, surgical technique, implants and post-operative care. However, the long-term outcomes appear largely unchanged. Does this represent stasis or have the advances been mitigated by other negative factors? In this article we have attempted to document the recent changes within the surgery of patients with a fracture involving the acetabulum, outline contemporary management, and identify the major problem areas where further research is most needed.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:1125–31

Biomechanical analysis of the fixation systems for anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse acetabular fractures

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of common fixation systems for complex acetabular fractures.

Methods

A finite element (FE) pelvic model with anterior column and posterior hemi-transverse acetabular fractures was created. Three common fixation systems were used to fix the posterior wall acetabular fractures: 1. Anterior column plate combined with posterior column screws (group I), 2. Anterior column plate combined with quadrilateral area screws (group II) and 3. Double-column plates (group III). And 600 N, representing the body weight, was loaded on the upper surface of the sacrum to simulate the double-limb stance. The amounts of total and relative displacements were compared between the groups.

Results

The total amount of displacement was 2.76 mm in group II, 2.81 mm in group III, and 2.83 mm in group I. The amount of relative displacement was 0.0078 mm in group II, 0.0093 mm in group III and 0.014 mm in group I.

Conclusion

Our results suggested that all fixation systems enhance biomechanical stability significantly. Anterior column plate combined with quadrilateral area screws has quite comparable results to double column plates, they were superior to anterior column plate combined with posterior screws.

Versatility of an Extended Posterior Approach for the Treatment of Acetabular Fractures With Reference to the Superior Gluteal Neurovascular Bundle

The superior gluteal neurovascular bundle is at risk of injury in certain types of acetabular fractures and the associated surgery. This article describes the versatility of an extended posterior approach, previously described for complex revision total hip replacement (the Adelaide approach) and for the treatment of acetabular fractures that allows a wide exposure of the ilium through identification, protection, and mobilization of the superior gluteal neurovascular bundle.

External rotator sparing with posterior acetabular fracture surgery: does it change outcome?

This study analyses the results of the treatment with external rotator sparing approach in acetabular fractures to determine whether muscle sparing has a positive impact on functional outcome. 20 patients with a mean age of 45.9 years (range: 26-64) that had been treated for displaced acetabular fractures were included in this series. Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment (SMFA) questionnaire and hip muscle strength measurement were done at the 24-month of follow-up period. The radiographic results at the final followup were excellent in 9 hips (45%), good in 6 hips (30%), fair in 4 hips (20%), and poor in one hip (5%) according to the criteria developed by Matta. The average SMFA score for all of the patients was 18.3 (range: 0-55.4). The mean dysfunctional and bother indexes were 17.2 and 20.6, respectively. The overall muscle strength deficit was 11.8%. The greatest loss of strength was in internal rotation. In patients with better postoperative reduction quality of acetabular fracture, peak torque, and maximum work of hip flexion, extension and also internal rotation maximum work deficit were significantly lower (P < 0.05). Accurate initial reduction and longer postoperative muscle strengthening exercise programs seem critical to decrease postoperative hip muscle weakness after acetabular fractures.

Gait and function as tools for the assessment of fracture repair - the role of movement analysis for the assessment of fracture healing

Assessment of gait and function might be as sensitive tool to monitor the progress of fracture healing. Currently available assessment tools for function use instrumented three dimensional gait analysis or pedobarography. The analysis is focused on gait or movement parameters and seeks to identify abnormalities or asymmetries between legs or arms. The additional inclusion of muscle function by electromyography can further elucidate functional performance and its temporal development. Alternative approaches abstain from directly assessing function in the laboratory but rather determine the amount of activities of daily living or the mere ability to perform defined tasks such as walking, stair climbing or running. Some of these methods have been applied to determine recovery after orthopaedic interventions including fracture repair. The combination of lab-based functional measurements and assessment of physical activities in daily live may offer a valuable level of information about the gait quality and quantity of individual patients which sheds light on functional limitations or rehabilitation of gait and mobility after a disease or injury and the respective conservative, medical or surgical treatment.

Postoperative gait analysis and hip muscle strength in patients with pelvic ring fracture

The aims of present study were (1) to determine changes in kinematic and kinetic variables at 3 and 12 months after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of pelvic ring fracture and (2) to determine the factor(s) associated with gait disorders that correlate with gait parameters measured at 12 months after surgery. Nineteen patients with pelvic ring fractures underwent ORIF and examined at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The study also included a similar number of age-matched control subjects. Peak hip abduction angle, peak hip extension moment in the stance, peak hip abduction moment, and peak ankle plantarflexion moment at 3 months after ORIF were significantly lower than the respective control values. At 12 months, complete recovery was noted in peak hip abduction moment and peak ankle plantarflexion moment, whereas the recovery in peak hip abduction angle and peak hip extension moment in the stance was partial. The existence of neurological lesions and strength asymmetry of hip abductor and adductor at 3 months post-ORIF correlated with decreased peak hip abduction moment after ORIF. Our results highlighted characteristic gait patterns up to 12 months after ORIF for pelvic fracture, and these patterns correlated with neurological lesion and weakness of hip abductor and adductor muscles.

Biomechanical analysis of the acetabular buttress-plate: are complex acetabular fractures in the quadrilateral area stable after treatment with anterior construct plate-1/3 tube buttress plate fixation?

OBJECTIVE

The acetabular buttress-plate has been widely used in treating difficult cases with satisfying clinical results. However, the biomechanical properties of a postoperative acetabular fracture fixed by the buttress-plate are not clear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical properties of stability after the anterior tube buttress-plate fixation of complex acetabular fractures in the quadrilateral area.

METHODS

A construct was proposed based on anterior construct plate - 1/3 tube buttress plate fixation for acetabular both-column fractures. Two groups of six formalin-preserved cadaveric pelvises were analyzed: (1) group A, the normal pelvis and (2) group B, anterior construct plate-1/3 tube buttress plate with quadrilateral area fixation. The displacements were measured, and cyclical loads were applied in both standing and sitting simulations.

RESULTS

As the load was added, the displacements were A<B, increasing in line. In the 600 N physiological loading, the differences were significant (standing position: p=0.013; sitting position: p=0.009) between groups A and B.

CONCLUSION

The anterior construct plate - 1/3 tube buttress plate fixation provided a better stable construct for early sitting. The standing mode yielded more significant differences between the groups. Placing a 1/3 tube buttress-plate via an anterior approach is a novel method of providing quadrilateral area support in this setting.